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Probe-Start Ballast Restrictions - What You Need to Know

Probe-Start Ballast Restrictions – What You Need to Know

New energy-efficient standards for metal halide lamps

Effective January 2006, the California Energy Commission (CEC) Title 20 Code of Regulations required lighting manufacturers to stop selling 150- to 500-watt metal halide (MH) vertical base-up, probe-start lamps to California. This past January the CEC Title 20 requirement was expanded to include all types of 150- to 500-watt MH lamps. Also added was a regulation that all ballasts must meet a minimum efficiency rating of 88 percent. Read the complete CEC’s 2007 Title 20 Appliance Efficiency Regulations for any allowable exceptions to the regulation.

Arizona, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington have also implemented similar MH energy efficiency standards in January of 2008 to eliminate the use of probe-start MH lamps.  Many other states are planning on 2009 implementation.

The need for increased energy efficiency is the main reason why the CEC created Title 20 regulations. Pulse-start MH lamps use a high-voltage ignitor in conjunction with a ballast. Probe-start MH lamps use a lamp with multiple operating electrodes, which causes the ballast to perform multiple functions. This makes pulse-start MH the more efficient choice.

In comparison to probe-start MH lamps, pulse-start MH lamps* offer:

• Energy savings - higher lumen output*, better lumen maintenance and longer lamp life* allow for fewer total fixtures or reduced wattage lamps (Ex. 320W PSMH vs 400W Probe)
  
• Better performance* - up to 33 percent increased lumen maintenance
  
• Better cold starting capability* - faster cold start/warm-up and shorter hot-restrike times.
  * Courtesy of National Lighting Product Information Program (NLPIP)
  

Pulse-start MH lamps also provide a lower total cost of ownership. Manufacturers suggest that because pulse-start MH lamps are more efficient and feature longer life ratings, this translates to fewer fixtures and less frequent relamping for reduced energy consumption and operating costs.

If you’re considering a retrofit from probe-start to pulse-start MH lamps, they use completely different ballasts that are not interchangeable. This is mostly due to the ignitor that’s added to the pulse-start system. While the initial retrofit may be expensive, you’ll more than make up for it with increased energy savings over the life of the lamp.

Ruud Lighting supports CEC’s Title 20. Whether the CEC’s code provides you with the opportunity to upgrade or replace lamps, our Customer Service and Application Engineering Departments are ready to assist you in selecting and purchasing the appropriate fixtures.